Active Melody

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The CAGED System: C Shape – 9 Essential tools that live within the C Shape – Guitar Lesson – EP556

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, we’ll do a deep dive into 1 of the 5 CAGED System chord shapes and showcase all of the things you can do within this one “container”. I’ll highlight 9 of the essentials! *Arpeggios were added to the PDF Cheat Sheet

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Comments

  9. Mike R says

    This gets me thinking a lot. I am in for you to do the other 4 shapes. I can see how it will be easier to change from one chord to another, once I am more familiar with this. I can already play around with this and make something out of it. A lot like the lesson where we can reach all keys within one fret to the north or south. Please do the entire series of caged chords like this also. Thanks Brian, another hit.

  10. Michael L says

    Great lesson Brian! Here’s my vote for covering all the shapes.
    I especially benefit from seeing the I IV & V chords within the shape for the key, and also the ii, iii, & vi while we’re at it.
    I’ve found I tend to think of the CAGED shape as as the “home” of the I chord, and the other chords of the key take the other shapes within the same area and major scale, if that makes sense. Anyway, yes, keep going with this theme.

  14. Austin T. Walden says

    I mentioned this on YouTube, but I would love to see a Mini Video type of quiz for those of us who have gone past the Essential Knowledge courses. I would love some tests on modes, on major scales, on pentatonics etc. They don’t have to be long but maybe a setup of “Today we’re focusing on the C chord. Can you play it everywhere on the neck? Can you play the major scale for the C chord starting on the 8th fret of the 6th string? Etc etc etc

    I would love to be able to ‘test out’ and get a ActiveMelody Level 1 Guitar Achievement 😉

    Kinda joking but another website I follow BluesHarmonica.com has you ‘test out’ by playing a variety of scales and also a piece of music. Gives a really tangible award.

  15. sukumaran u says

    this lesson a coincidence for me!

    i have been going through few lessons trying to improvise. then i understood the i have to know the fretboard better. so i stopped improvising and started reviewing my knowledge on caged. now getting a better grip on it and in a day or two, will go back to the guitar and start with simple patterns of improvising which will help in visualizing the caged. i am now able to bring theory and practice nearer.

  19. Manley says

    Yes, I want more but keep it in like a chord progressions that makes since. You push 1,4,5 so much I think that’s where you should go.

    But on another note as we head into March March madness as they say in basketball. I would really enjoy 4 week lesson that continues from one week till the next so that at the end of March we have 96 bar lesson that seemly flows without going off into new or you could do it this way or that way.

    I need something to build on other than just 12 or 24 bars.

  21. Dustin T says

    I have been looking for this video my whole life! lol. So we basically have C and D shape covered please do E shape and A shape!! Maybe throw in the arpeggio for the shape , if you think about it.
    After that I’ll have every tool in the army knife…..complete game changer, caged is basically my cheat code only wish I didn’t waste 20 years playing memorized licks.
    Thanks Brian.

  22. Scott C says

    Absolutely do a series- and it would be super cool if it culminated in a song or short musical pieces that incorporated all 5 shapes and licks from each of the shapes- like a mixolidian, major, minor, D 7 pieces that showcased playing the chord changes – Really a CAGED system In Action series

  31. Wil W says

    Brian,

    A good idea to do the other shapes from the CAGED system. Can you als include the transition notes to go to the other shapes. P.e. If the I chord is in the C shape and you are going to the IV chord witch is using the A shape, what notes can by used as transition notes to get in a smooth way from the I to the IV chord. So what notes are you targeting (the 3 of the IV chord, which is the 6 of the I chord). Or is it better to do an extra lesson on this subject.

  32. Thierry says

    Thanks Brian for this very enlightening lesson! Would love you to dissect the other shapes too! Thanks for explaining the fretboard and its internal relationships so well. Discovered your work a couple of years ago and have progressed much faster since then!

  33. Kevin S says

    Wow, I had to scroll down five times farther than normal to leave a comment, and as I scrolled by it seemed as all the comments were positive. This will be another one; very cool lesson and I’d love to see it as a series…, “The name of the place – I like it like that!” (Guess I just gave my age away)

  34. Daniel H says

    Brian, when discussing the minor chord and scales, why did you choose the natural minor scale rather than Dorian mode? In past lessons I recall you embracing Dorian mode to achieve the melancholy sound. Is one scale more effective than the other in producing the minor tone or is their something else that makes one scale more effective than the other?

  35. Craig M says

    Great coverage for someone trying to understand the fretboard and the CAGED system. Coming back to the guitar after many years and this helps to get my mind and fingers around the fretboard. Thought I could get started with chords and rhythm but need to simplify my fingering to just get back to playing. Love your lesson songs but I stumble trying to get my fingers to right places. So I will practice the simpler shapes and work on 1 4 5 around the fretboard to just start making some music. Thanks

  38. Gunneson says

    This is great. You mentioned a PDF with all this information and chords / scales. I don’t see that on this lesson, just the tab.
    Do you have one with this info ? This would be ideal to do with all the CAGED so you can play chord changes in a small concise location or whatever you want. Thanks again for your lessons.

  42. JohnStrat says

    Brian
    This must rate as one of your best ‘wrap up’ lessons. You lay out the essential relationships here extremely clearly and the graphics and care that you have put into this video shows your dedication to helping us all. A big thanks
    JohnStrat
    (A future topic how about suspended chord coverage)

  43. Geoff says

    I absolutely love your theory lessons. They have really helped me to understand the fretboard better, how to construct chords and relate them back to the scales. Really great the way this shows how you can do all of this with the C Shape.

    Of course, it will be very helpful to me if you show this with the other shapes though I think I could, as an exercise, work this out myself. That might be something worth doing in a lesson or one of your challenges. Have us pick a shape, other than C, and work out a melody to it – maybe 🙂

  45. Mike W says

    This is a great lesson, Brian. Hopefully there are sufficient requests above for you to continue and dissect the other shapes. The only thing I would say is that they aren’t done on consecutive weeks – maybe alternate weeks every 3 weeks.

  49. Harry B says

    This is great, Brian.

    I have studied your lesson on the Pentatonic scale (lesson 436) extensively and even gone back and studied a lot of your past lessons before discovering your website such as the lesson on the CAGED system (273), and the lessons on Modes (374 and 375) and they have expanded my understanding of the fretboard and theory tremendously.

    I agree with all the other sentiments expressed here. We need lessons like this to help us grow as guitar players.

  50. John D says

    Great information Brian. Continue the series as there is much to be gleamed from this concept. Great information that can be readily applied to any genre of music. Super useful and something that when revisited down the road can continue to help everyone !

  51. Stuart S says

    Brian, this style and content is your USP. No one does it like you. Yes absolutely please do other positions; this would be great reinforcement and consolidation and perhaps might be the holy grail to when all the positions and scales become muscle and ear memory. The improvisation part at end is the proof of concept: this works!

  52. Ann N says

    I’ve been studying the CAGED system on another website and it just wasn’t clicking with me and when my teacher told me I should concentrate on major, minor, pentatonic scales to work on my improvising I decided that’s what I would do. Now you must have been hearing our last lesson because this takes the CAGED and incorporates the things he’s been telling me. Very understandable and well taught. Thanks so much and keep going.

  55. Michael E says

    Great building block Brian, thank-you for this fantastic lesson.
    For me this is the Holy Grail to fretboard organization and I feel you deserve high accolades and a big reward for creating such a clear, concise and well thought-out lesson!
    I’d like to mention one thing that helps me and might be beneficial to some others:
    To help my old forgetful brain I’ve labeled my box C4 instead of just C.
    I find that by adding the Major Pentatonic Scale pattern number to the letter label of each of the CAGED boxes I no longer pause when pivoting between chord changes trying to remember what Major Pentatonic Scale pattern lies within the CAGED shape.
    In this example of the C shape the C4 label tells me to use major pentatonic pattern 4 when playing the C shape.
    So in my brain I’ve labelled my CAGED boxes: C4, A5, G1, E2, and D3.
    If I’m playing minor pentatonic scale I find it easy to remember that the Minor Pent Scale pattern in the box is just one number less than the C4 label. So in this C4 example minor pentatonic pattern 3 lies within the box.
    Like other members I too would very much like to see you create a series of lessons like this for the other CAGED boxes.
    Thank-you Brian!

      • Michael E says

        Happy to read you liked the labelling idea.😊
        I’ve had fun thinking up connections to associate the letter to the number
        Some examples of what I think of:
        C4 = C4 explosive (1.3 times more powerful than 🧨 TNT)
        A5 = Audi A5 Sportback coupe
        G1 = here in Canada G1 is your beginner’s driver’s license or learner’s permit
        E2 = the old Chicago E2 nightclub where 21 people died and 50 more were injured in a stampede one night
        D3 = Vitamin D3 – helps the body maintain a strong immune system, healthy bones and teeth – at my age I need all the help I can get 😆
        Keep pickin’ and grinnin’

  57. Raymond P says

    This was brilliant Brian. Please do this on the other CAGED shapes too. And if not asking too much, please make a pdf with the scales and the 9 essential tools you displayed through the video so we can use them as a quick reference.

  58. Robert Burlin says

    Epic lesson. And Yes the first thought I had when I realized what you were doing here was I hope you do the other four shapes. Next thought was I sure hope you are writing a book so when the power goes off I can keep studying your one of a kind guitar method. We are truly blessed to have such profound guitar lessons like this Brian. Thank You!

  59. Greg O says

    PDF of scales/modes etc..? i’m a visual learner and your graphics are very helpful in the lesson and I miss being able to download a copy to study. mixolydian scale , overview of minor major scale /chords etc

  60. Santiago P says

    I just started a CAGED course on a well known learning platform and I was wondering how Brian would aproach the topic. Et voilá, here it is!

    Even though CAGED is mostly a positional tool, I discovered that it helps me a lot to find the intervals and this is particularly true for the C shape, for which I have the notes engraved by fire. So this makes me easier to look for the flat seventh or whatever note I want to play whether comping or soloing.

    Another vote for the rest of shapes!

  61. Glen B says

    Brian
    This lesson will be my go-to lesson for practice. It allows me to be able to noodle with my favorite songs and apply the essentials you teach here. Absolutely your best lesson EVER!

    Yes, please provide deep dives on the other shapes.

  63. michael f says

    The deep dive into each chord shape pays dividends especially when improvising lead on the lower 3 strings which don’t get the same attention in other lessons when you are playing across shapes and trying to connect them usually on the first 3 or 4 strings.

  68. Jerry G says

    Bingo Brian,

    Very well thought out and delivered, understandable and useful for sure, now if I could figure out this confusing #$%^ Looper I could practice it better…lol , maybe do a quick lesson on those pain in the butt devices…lol

    Thanks for all you do and have a Great President’s Day weekend..

  69. Brad S says

    Yessir!! Please do all the shapes. I’ve been dining this slowly on my own. The lesson is a huge boost up. Please do the other 4 plus F.

    And, does a B shape ever fit in? I’ve not found a place yet.

  78. Mickle says

    I love this kind of lesson and really appreciate your demonstration skills. In many ways it’s some of the sidebar comments that help as well, e.g. only playing the two most significant notes in a chord to achieve same sound. It’s all very complementary to the excellent musical compositions you produce.

  79. Mark H says

    I agree with all of the above. I’ve noticed that Brian has a knack of a) breaking things down into digestible bite-size pieces, b) presenting often taught topics in new and interesting ways, and c) conveying infectious enthusiasm for what he’s doing. All are attributes of a great teacher I reckon. Looking forward to the whole series.

  80. Gary C says

    I love your practical lessons and tips (tricks?) for songs. as much as I have been warned away from the CAGED system by other teachers whom I respect as well, I do use shapes, and this lesson was very useful. So, yes to more on the subject.

  81. William K says

    Outstanding lesson and yes please do the other shapes. I love that you started with the C shape. For some reason I most enjoy playing out of that shape. Things just seem to fall under my fingers there.

  82. Gary K says

    Brian, good lesson, but often I find that I’m just playing scale tones as I follow the changes., major and minor pentatonic, mixolydian, etc. How about showing us how to put together some nice licks using the C shape our of the caged system, as a complement to this video? Thanks.

  83. Jesse R says

    Agreed. Keep the “CAGED” connections coming. Super helpful. You might also consider connecting a few lessons into one new video – to offer a way to remind us how recent lesson concepts tie, and give us another chance to put them into practice. For instance, combine, say, the upcoming G shape essential tools with, EP553 (using 2 note and 3 note chords for blues rhythm), EP552 (finding all chords and shape within one fret of your CAGED shape), and EP549 (four note lead pattern). I’ve had fun using tips from one lesson while playing the backing track of another. And I’m loving trying to replace my memorized tab leads with improvised bits and pieces from your lessons. Or if I keep using some of the memorized tabs stuff, to break them down using what I’ve learned from Active Melody, so I at least know what they are based on. You rock.

  88. Richard F says

    I’ve been using CAGED for a long time, to the point where it’s second nature. One of the marvelous things about it is that I am always learning new applications for it. This lesson really ties its elements together. Thanks.

  90. David O says

    Thanks Brian for making this lesson – you have a great talent for explaining theory and connecting the dots to actual playing. It is really helpful. Please do lessons for the remaining CAGED patterns.

    One question- about 6:37 into the video you mention that the C shape Major Pentatonic is “Pattern 4.” I always thought it was “Pattern 3.” Am I mistaken?

    Thanks

    D

    • Laurel C says

      I have thought the same thing Pattern 3 being the C Shape (Pattern 4 – A Shape, Pattern 5 – G shape, Pattern 1 – E Shape, Pattern 2 – D Shape)
      Will wait to see what the next four shapes bring and their corresponding patterns. I guess it is still the same patterns but don’t understand why there is a discrepancy with the label of them..

      • Dave T says

        That was something I struggled with for a long time for years actually using the number system I never quite got quite easy concept but more confusing to keep straight in use. You have to remember whether you’re using the major scale or the major pentatonic scale. The numbering system is one number apart from each other.

  91. Georg B says

    Hello Brian,

    I’ve been following what you’re doing for a long time now and I’m thrilled. Your tutorials have always been really good and are getting better and better in every way. I enjoy the ragtime pieces and blues pieces that can be played without a backtrack, but I learn the most when you publish episodes like number 556. You manage to help me clearly recognize the structure behind your music. I would be very interested if you would turn episode 556 into a series in which you would also break down the A form, the G form, the E form and the D form. I would find that very helpful and anything but boring.

    Best regards,

    Georg

  93. Laurel C says

    This video is so well thought out in bringing the 9 essentials tools under the 3 umbrellas and keeping the info tight. Super work on the instructional video with visuals as they are a necessary aid for learning and understanding CAGED. Yes, to the next four shapes as this will be a wonderful resource to include in the Lesson Categories under Caged System (ep524 is not there?). Keeping it consistent in its format like this lesson and in the same Key E will bring it all together and be interchangeable . Love CAGED, there are so many angles to take with it but for the benefit of all, it would be best to do the series over 4 months. Once this has been done and because there are many lessons with CAGED aspects within them, could it be a tangible idea to start and collate aspects from other lessons and recycle them to give other creative ways for usage and exploration. Consolidating the old with the new..

  94. Alan V says

    Hi Brian
    My initial reaction when this lesson came out was “What a great idea” and as usual, you didn’t disappoint. I notice overwhelming support for completing the series. Count me in – that’s for sure!
    One little extra I thought would be good. Where to locate all of the diatonic chords in that area. Even all the diatonic 7ths if you think that is not taking it too far. Expanding on that idea maybe a separate series in the same vein, with all of the most important chords associated with each CAGED shape.
    It’s amazing how much music can be played in one position!
    Dazzling stuff!

  96. Dave T says

    Good morning Brian, it’s been a long time. I do still watch your weekly lessons and I still watch all the monthly submissions you have a talented bunch of musicians following you, those guys are so great and gals. I just had to to write and say that I think that this was the best lesson you’ve done, for me anyway. Wow, just wow. Big yes to future series especially if it included, like Andre mentioned, arpeggios and somebody else mentioned Dorian mode. Something else I always wished you would do was talk more about versus and bridges in songs and include them in yourmusic. You do touch on intros sometimes and I really like it when you do that. Thank you for all you do you are a wonderful teacher.

  97. Ken C says

    Have to admit that I struggle with my patience on this type of lesson. BUT, it moves me along the continuum of learning to play the guitar: Familiarization , Memorization, Understanding and Application. Keep it coming.

  98. Rex D says

    My head is spinning in a good way. i’ve used the CAGED system for years but this lesson starts to bring it all together. As usual you present well done lessons. I’m so glad I’ve been a member because of all I’ve learned. Thank Brian!

  106. DaveR says

    Hello Brian,

    Thanks for your many years of great lessons!!! I’ve been a premium member for a few years and I have sure enjoyed your lessons and they have improved my playing immeasurably. And I have just started posting recently.

    I have a suggestion/request for a future lesson. Most of your lessons are made-up of two verses for a given composition and your suggestion for us to improvise further verses to extend the piece. My problem is that I’m not that good at improvising new verses.

    So here is my request… create a composition (preferably a jazz influenced piece) with two verses, and in a subsequent lesson, provide two addition verses, and maybe a bridge, and also a big fancy ending. That way we could have a nice composition that would be about five minutes long and would be a nice presentation piece. Think about it.

    Thanks again for all you do!

    Dave

  107. Michael D says

    I, too, cast my vote for covering the rest of the shapes in the CAGED system in this same manner. I find your explanations enlightening and most often they open new areas of exploration to me.

    Thanks, Brian.

  109. William A says

    Brian Great Lesson. your a great teacher I am ot a good student (need to practrice more) sorry I share my time with pencil drawing (if you or Kent ) want a pencil portait done, send me a picture and give me a chance. Love ro draw. Have a great day from Kamsas city Bill & I am 63 years old.

  114. Kevin L says

    Hi Brian Excellent lesson as always. A definite Yes to giving the other 4 caged shapes your analysis. You give us all these brilliant nuggets of information each week, but alas I still struggle to apply them! I found the lessons EP550 Chet Atkins style particularly difficult as well as EP553 Blues Comping , due to my lack of Rhythm skills.
    Any chance you could do something on Rhythm playing?

    many thanks Kevin

  119. Paul F says

    Yes to the other shapes please!

    And just wanted to say thank you for the careful thought you put into all of these lessons. Truly appreciate it & I always walk away with a “lightbulb” moment!

  125. Thomas H says

    I would like the other shapes. Consider blasting through the AGED shapes as mini lessons and post them, so those of us really interested can have access. And practice them right away.
    You can then do a “deep dive-big lessons” and share them over a few months. Best of both worlds.

    Thanks you do a good job Brian. I have enjoyed improving my learning. I have been playing since college and am now retired. But I have gotten way better. Maybe because I have been practicing more. Your lessons are pretty easy to follow. Though I do have my argg moments.

    Tommy

  126. Werner L says

    Super lesson. I marvel at how you can just play all the scales and chords (while talking, even). Continuing other shapes would help me practice and understand the relationships. You are a terrific teacher, unlike any other (and I’ve visited dozens). Best investment I made in my guitar journey by far. So look forward to each lesson but overwhelmed at the pace they come. There is no way I could learn them so quickly never mind the demo pieces. But that’s my problem. So add my vote for other shapes to the dozens above. Thank you.

  131. Tim Moran says

    Very cool, this is kind of a look at the universe in a nutshell. It will keep me busy for quite a while. And yes for the other CAGED shapes. A quick thought on the comments: I access the lessons on Tuesday rather than Friday, and if I want to leave a comment, I have to scroll through a lot of comments. Could you have the comment prompt at the top of the scroll, with the most recent comments appearing first? Or just the comment prompt at the top?

  134. Michael D says

    I think the other shapes would be awesome. One key link for me was that the C shape ties into pattern 3 of the minor pentatonic. Already working through in my mind where the other shapes tie in for major and minor pentatonic scales. Hoping you can do this for all the shapes. Thanks for this one…you’re the best

  139. Steve C says

    Great lesson. One worth watching and practicing several times. Yes, please do the other shapes as well. Learning songs each week is fun but watching and learning from these types of instructional lessons makes me a better player.

  140. John P says

    This is a great lesson to help see how all the different pieces fit into the big picture. Very useful. Would love to see lessons on all the shapes. Thanks for your work in putting your lessons together every week.

  141. Robert B says

    Hello Brian. Thanks for this explanation of CAGED . I have always had little understanding of the system but your explanation and delivery has brought what was an overwhelming area to understand and digest into very tasty bite size ideas, and the practice tools are going to be fun, a fantastic toolto use to warm up , and i’m sure will produce a terrific boost to my overall playing. Bob

  146. jaystrings2@aol.com says

    A great lesson AND the tracks are most helpful. YES, YES do the other 4. Not one boring second on this lesson. A great example of why I’m a premium member – this isn’t covered anywhere else I’m aware of. And I doubt seriously other teachers have your patience or clarity of explanation. Jay in SC

  148. cbuck says

    i get the the c shape e chord is between forth and 7th frets. at the end when you play cromaticaly you say e pentonic scale between forth and 7tk frets string 5 and 6 what pattern is that i thought i had my pentonics down ??

  151. Chris H says

    You asked for a comment on this lesson … so here’s mine: Tre Chic, Brian … I’ve been playing for a lot of years and you opened some doors for me here. Honestly, I’ve never seen one of your lessons that didn’t get me thinking about one thing or another in a new way. You are one of the best video instructors out there … keep on doing them,, Boyo … you make the world a better place!

  153. David S says

    Iam David ES Brian ,I see there was another student logged in as David S which I originally logged in as,so I will be David ES . As for my comment I loved this lesson Brian, keep more of these coming, it has really helped me,thanks so much !!!

  159. Tricky says

    Excellent lesson Brian. Was in the process of writing it out myself under the A & E shapes with major & pentatonic scales. As you say, nothing found on the internet. You made it sound so much easier than my little mind was able. Please continue all other shapes to the same extent as C.

  161. freddie h says

    I agree that doing the other shapes would be helpful. Especially E and A. It’s a lot to digest however. You might consider doing a month’s worth of lessons in the C shape with some arrangements that cement using the different scales, in that particular key, (without playing the changes) before you move on. Just a thought. Great lesson!

  162. Roberto C says

    Brian, I echo the comments made regarding the lesson. It would help more if the pdf (s) had more visuals that illustrate how you are envisioning the fretboard as you move from I to IV to V, the different shapes being used and your train of thought as you glide from one shape to the other and note selection. Thank you.

  167. ian m says

    Hey Brian…bring on the other shapes and perhaps include one lesson (using the key of A) on mapping a mode e.g., mixolydian across the entire fretboard that incorporates triads and other cage based shapes. It would help me connect the dots across the entire fret board vs. just one area. Always enjoy your lessons. Thank you.

  168. ian m says

    Hey Brian…bring on the other shapes and perhaps include one lesson (using the key of A) on mapping a mode e.g., mixolydian across the entire fretboard that incorporates triads and other cage based shapes. Excellent class. Thank you.

  172. Wade O says

    Yes, please do the series on this! I find it very helpful to have the guidance but the best part in the little surprises, like the chromatic walk through the mixolydian scale! And even better being able to say that and translate it to the fretboard. Try the intro to Roller by April Wine using a triplet pull off and hammer on. “Mixo” it up! Enjoy the music! Wade

  176. Ian M says

    I cannot see any reason why you wouldn’t do a series. I personally know this but very time you do it I pick something up because it helps create new possible connections. After going through each lesson, it would be great if you did a full lesson using the pattern in a song going back and forth between single notes and chords/triads. Not boring at all!

  178. Anthony F says

    Good stuff! I thought this was great and could be added to beginner series too. I was blown away at how simple the transition from E to A in the same area/box. I’d love to see a simple lesson and exercises showing some was to improve transitions between two chords for beginner lead playing (Eg, E-A/G-C, A-C/G-D, or even A – F#m…)

  179. Michael R says

    Thanks Brian for doing the “deep dive” with the CAGED system. Please, yes. Do the remaining shapes. This has so improved my lead playing. I have watched other videos that cover this information, but you have explained it so that it makes it easier to understand.

    Thanks again,
    Mike

  181. Peter E says

    You are right— this is indeed breakthrough stuff. What worked for me was integrating lesson 552. So I learned to start using Pattern 3 with a C-Shape to be in E minor. Is there a quick way to link a particular pentatonic pattern with a particular key OTHER THAN using the lesson 552 method. Or, putting it differently, when I am using the 552 method, once I figure out that I am using a G shape (for example) in a major key is there a quick way to know what pentatonic pattern works in that situation? A lesson covering that would be dynamite!!

  184. Joseph C says

    Hey Brian, I really like this. I have watched so many players stay in one area of the neck while playing lead and havent a clue how they get such different sounding tones.

    I think this is very helpful and would love to see the other shapes. Since I am catching up to my lessons I see you have done the E shape. BRAVO!!!

    When you finish this series, can you provide some jam stuff that incorporates all this?

    Thanks man, all your lessons have helped me to feel more confident in my playing and improved my playing!!

  188. vol46 says

    I would love to see a whole series like this on CAGED, using the other four shapes. This “deep dive” into the C shape helped me get a much better feel for using CAGED in my playing. I’ve known about it for years & picked up bits & pieces over time, but this really helps pull a lot of the little pieces together for me

  190. Patrick H says

    Another vote for the rest of the shapes. I feel like, for me, spending a couple of weeks with each one of these lessons will drive it home and really starts to open the fret board. Thank you for the excellent content!

  196. Paul P says

    Brian, I love the mix of theory and practicality that you bring to your lessons. So encore with the rest but can I also ask for a lesson on the link between caged and the circle of 5ths as applied to the fretboard positions too pl?

  197. Mike Y says

    Hi Brain,

    I too vote for continuing on with all the shapes. In pulling back the curtain behind these shapes, it furthers our creativity and knowledge in guitar playing, the premise of your teaching. Keep up the good work Brian. You are making a difference in helping our understanding of the guitar and furthering our creative process.

    Mike

  201. Harold V says

    Great Lesson Brian: It is amazing that this lesson seems to come along for me when I am ready and feel confident. As usual, it was an eye opener and an Aha moment for me. This lesson has allowed me to visualize the fret board in a new way. Looking forward to other lessons using the E, and A shapes.

  208. Christian G says

    Hello
    We need to have very good eyes to read your PDF with Major Dom7 and minor. Instead of put all on one page, is it possible to put in two pages. Thank you for people who are old and have glasses.

  209. Christian G says

    Bonjour
    Je suis gêné par le fait que les tonalités ne soient pas indiquées dans l’armure. Ex dans le C shape on est en MI Majeur mais rien ne l’indique à la clé et on se retrouve avec une foule d’altérations. J’ai du mal à m’y retrouver avec cette approche

  210. Glen D says

    Absolutely Awesome! Super light bulb moment for me. I am really getting how this works and can finally see the organization behind it. Cant wait to get to the other shapes. This is a genius lesson.. I st ill have a lot of work to do to play it fluently but now I understand WHY I am doing it. Thanks so much. Great lesson.

  214. David H says

    I am really loving the Soundslice feature on the C shape. Perhaps it is on other shapes now? That Soundslice option is a game changer. I also play saxophone and in fact can read music much faster than guitar tabs. So great for me. Say, I have a question, is there any way to change the key on the sheet music that is in the soundslice part of the lesson page? Thanks. David H. Port Moody, BC, Canada

  215. Ron R says

    Brian
    It absolutely befuddles me how you can take such a small piece of the guitar and turn it into a flourishing wilderness of music. Thank you very much for your dedication to our education.

  220. Smiley Blue says

    Brian,
    I’m a little late to the party with “C” CAGED starting with other keys first. That’s okay. ALL the lessons have LIGHTS ON moments for me! How do you describe a great 10-course meal? Lots of tasty mmm mmm goooood food!!! Each lesson is its own feast. Plus (like great take-out) the leftovers (repeat lessons) are still wonderfully delicious.

    I also love the “neighborhood” analogy you use Brian. I’m sure others are like me. You go into the hood and all is good and then you turn on the wrong street and you don’t know where you are. Oops. Uh oh. Gotta go back to where I made the wrong turn. That’s okay too. Repetition IS the mother of learning.

    Thank you also Brian for providing the 50% and 75% tempo options while showing us the full speed green pastures with your own playing. And also thank you for always offering genuine “real world” encouragement to keep pressing on in our guitar playing journey. Yea! Yea! Yea!

  221. Roberto C says

    In general I prefer ‘song’ lessons, but this ‘theory’ lesson was very useful and I am spending my weekend exploring the sonic possibilities of this shape and having fun too. I’ll soon proceed with the next shapes. So thank you.

  222. Alex H says

    Great lesson. I’ve been working on this on my own and this answered some questions I had and filled some gaps. I like the way it was explained and laid out. Very clear and easy to follow. Thank you. I really relate to your style of teaching and use other sites but keep coming back to your lessons because they seem to make the most sense to me and the way I learn and think. Thanks again.

  226. Ted D says

    A “series”??? Brian, you have the makings of a book I wish they had back in 1963 when I started playing guitar … or back when I was 35 and paid a teacher big money for Jazz lessons. Everything is just as clear as can be … and almost couldn’t get easier. By comparison, Mel Bay nearly killed me, and I never really learned anything.

  228. Phil A says

    Ha! — Minds blown all over the place! Great! —- Besides all the revelations inside the boxes, is the huge organizational structure you have revealed for me. I knew about CAGED and always thought it was just a chord thing. We are always hearing about the futile quest to “Master the Fretboard” and the warning that first of all, that’s not going to happen in your lifetime and secondly, it can get in the way of using a lot less information to make music. For some people, me included, that fretboard mastery idea, illusion, or whatever — hangs in there despite the warnings of my betters. I have seen a ton of stuff on the internet, much of it valuable too, but this gathering of material around chord structure that most of us are at least familiar with is the most mind blowing idea I have come across. As so many teachers have pointed out, their students don’t all seem to learn or approach ideas in the same way, and the fretboard mastery idea or need for an overall organizational picture, is kind of a hang up for some people, me for one. What you have laid out here is a fantastic road map that for me at least, puts that fretboad mastery bugaboo to rest and I can get on with learning whats inside the boxes.

  229. Michael L says

    Brian – I’m recently a registered student… and absolutely love this lesson. You have lots of other great stuff that prompted me to sign up, but I’ve been a deer in headlights with trying to grasp CAGED till now, thanks for the clear explanation on this. I’m still getting into your arsenal of lessons, but this is the first one that I stumbled over that you can loop the playback… and make playing along / working through sections a lot more effective without hitting rewind 1k time (Genius man… genius!)

  231. Russ W says

    Brian, this lesson, and of course, the other containers for the remaining CAGED shapes…. is truly the Holy Grail to the fretboard. I’m pretty good with minor and major pentatonic and CAGE up the neck, but I can’t recall quick enough while jamming in the moment. This is going to really give my ‘fingers’ the muscle memory needed to play over any changes in any key. Thank you so much.

  233. Dan B says

    Hi Brian – this CAGED series has completely opened up my playing after decades noodling in the minor pentatonic. It’s a seminal series – you should be very proud. Amazing work and effort to achieve this. Respect.

  234. Jim S says

    Great lesson Brian. I have been trying to make sense of this CAGED system for a long time. This lesson and the ones on the other shapes really puts it all together. It will take some time to get it all crammed into my little brain but I can already tell that this course, if its not a whole course of study it should be, along with some of the other lessons will get me to where I want to be as a guitar player. Thank you so much for the work you put into these lessons.
    Best Regards,

  235. Art M says

    I know that I’m “late to the party” on this lesson. That all said, having played guitar for 24 years now, all self taught for the most part ( though I have watched other YT instructors), I feel like a new kid learning all over again “IN A VERY GOOD WAY”. This course along has opened my mind up and caused me to repeat it a few times learning the different Major, Minor, Dom 7th, etc scale patterns and I’m still wiping the dust off my memory to remember them . I also will throw myself under the bus. I left you a few years back because I would say I felt intimidated by my lack of ability and trying to keep up with you. A few years down the road now, my mind is much more open and confident to learn. I’m only sorry that it took me this long to realize that. Just started back with you in Jan 2025 and look forward to working the lessons, and at a pace I’m happy with.

    Thank you,
    Art

  236. John G says

    Hi Brian, thanks for the CAGED series EP556-560. It’s very insightful. Can I ask is there a way of knowing which pattern is applicable to use with each CAGED shape?

    For example, in EP556, I notice that the D# (Maj 3rd) in bar 4 on the high E string is in the C shape for E. Is this the clue to apply pattern 4? If you had chosen to move to Em, would you have applied pattern 3 which shares many of the notes as pattern 4, but it has an A (Min 4th) instead of the G# (Maj 3rd).

    Apologies if I’m being too detailed, but I find it helps if I dig deep so I can confirm I have fully understood your explanations.

  237. Tom C says

    Thx Brian for using your great vision to put all the recipe items in a box for us to practice and speed up. . . .Im finally getting some time to tackle these core skills and Im really happy that you have this available, I have wondered what the secret is to the sweet sound!

  239. Lyn says

    I get so frustrated because even though I can mentally follow these lessons. I never can do more that just play rhythm when I’m playing live. I’ve been a member for years. What am I missing?

  240. Phil B says

    Thanks Brian, Ive been fluffing about for 50 odd years. At last I’ve found both the time, patience and teacher to get over a major hurdle of understanding how the CAGED system knowledge relates to musicality.
    Cheers,
    Phil

  241. Rolf P says

    Hi Brian. I’ve been playing catch up on your site. I have seen a lot of internet video explaining the caged system and always think I finally got it until it comes to the implementation. But this time watching your explanation it makes more sense when placed with the backdrop of different scales (modes). I also think that the mastering of one position as you point out is VERY important before moving on (and confusing yourself) before going to another shape. The theory makes a lot of sense. Using the theory to express yourself musically in a fluent manner is a matter of mussel memory which comes from practise. If you have to really think about it when you perform then perhaps you should also build up your level of tollerance for frustration. At least that is my experience.

    Love your teaching method. It’s good to know that at 70 I can still be a spunge and take it all in.

    Take care,
    Rolf

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